THE EFFECTS OF IRON SUPPLEMENTATION DURING PREGNANCY, GIVEN BY TRADITIONAL BIRTH ATTENDANTS, ON THE PREVALENCE OF ANEMIA AND MALARIA

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled community-based trial o f oral iron supplementation (200 mg ferrous sulphate daily) administer ed to multigravid pregnant women by traditional birth attendants (TBAs ) was carried out in a rural area of The Gambia. Iron supplementation led to a significant reduction in the prevalence of anaemia and of iro n deficiency. Iron supplementation was not accompanied by increased su sceptibility to malaria infection; there was no difference in the prev alence and seventy of peripheral blood or placental malaria infection between the 2 groups of women. The birth weight of children born to wo men who received iron prophylaxis was increased by an average of 56 g. It is concluded that oral iron prophylaxis can be successfully delive red through TBAs integrated into a primary health care programme. This simple intervention can produce significant beneficial effects on the health of the mother without inducing increased susceptibility to mal aria and has the potential for reducing perinatal mortality by increas ing birth weight.